PS3 Controller "features"

R

RobertR1

Pro
Legend
http://gaming-edge.blogspot.com/2006/10/sony-clarifies-some-ps3-controller-talk.html

"Though there's still so much up in the air about the PS3 still, the controller is really one of the hot button issues.

There was an update today, based on Japanese tech site Broadband Watch.

According to the report, http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/special/15818.html , the controller will have to be paired to the console via the USB cable before play. This pairing process will be required each time the console has been shut down and turned back on, or - given the rough translation - possibly every time the controller has lost power.

It's unlikely that putting the console into standby mode will cause a reconnection requirement, if it's console-related. It's also unlikely that many of those lucky (?) enough to get a launch PS3 are going to want to leave it on, even powered-down, 24/7.

Those wondering about battery life will be happy to note the controller is expected to get about 30 hours of playtime out of one 2.5 hour charge. As the battery isn't replaceable, when it's no longer recharging the controller needs to be replaced or sent for repairs.

Does either option seem especially appealing?"

I'm hoping this is false. I really enjoy the On/off (super lazy) feature of the 360 controller. No comment on the non replaceable batteries until we see it's lifespan.
 
RobertR1 said:
http://gaming-edge.blogspot.com/2006/10/sony-clarifies-some-ps3-controller-talk.html

"Though there's still so much up in the air about the PS3 still, the controller is really one of the hot button issues.

There was an update today, based on Japanese tech site Broadband Watch.

According to the report, http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/special/15818.html , the controller will have to be paired to the console via the USB cable before play. This pairing process will be required each time the console has been shut down and turned back on, or - given the rough translation - possibly every time the controller has lost power.

It's unlikely that putting the console into standby mode will cause a reconnection requirement, if it's console-related. It's also unlikely that many of those lucky (?) enough to get a launch PS3 are going to want to leave it on, even powered-down, 24/7.

Those wondering about battery life will be happy to note the controller is expected to get about 30 hours of playtime out of one 2.5 hour charge. As the battery isn't replaceable, when it's no longer recharging the controller needs to be replaced or sent for repairs.

Does either option seem especially appealing?"

I'm hoping this is false. I really enjoy the On/off (super lazy) feature of the 360 controller. No comment on the non replaceable batteries until we see it's lifespan.
Click to expand...

The report is wrong. You can connect the controller by pressing the On/Off button on the SixAxis controller. You can probably replace the battery with a screwdriver too if you don't want it replaced.
 
nonamer said:
The report is wrong. You can connect the controller by pressing the On/Off button on the SixAxis controller. You can probably replace the battery with a screwdriver too if you don't want it replaced.
Click to expand...

The report states that if the console is in standby mode, you can on/off to connect but if the console is completely powered off, then you must reconnect (I assume bluetooth handshake) via the cable. So that specific part is wrong?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8690624&&#post8690624 Someone on AVSforum had a pretty good explanation. Not sure if he's right or wrong?
 
RobertR1 said:
The report states that if the console is in standby mode, you can on/off to connect but if the console is completely powered off, then you must reconnect (I assume bluetooth handshake) via the cable. So that specific part is wrong?
Click to expand...

It's a bluetooth device. It should function exactly like a bluetooth device should.
 
This was already confirmed to be false, at least according to "Joystiq"
Update: A contact at Sony let us know that the controller does not need to be paired to the console with the USB charging cable; you can pair it by simply pressing the red PlayStation button.
Click to expand...
The battery not being replaceable is true however, but hardly news.

With the controller costing about $40, and the battery, if it were replaceable would cost about $20 at least, that's not a huge amount of money to spend compared to if you only had to replace the battery, especially as you won't need to buy a new controller that often,.
The battery should still last some couple of years if not more, by which time the controller might be in need of replacing anyway :) and if the battery happened to die, there's always the option to use the cable if you don't have the money.
 
Thanks Rabid and nonamer. I don't care about the controller with internal battery as long as it lasts a while but the cable hookup would have been a big turn off. Happy again :)
 
Hardknock said:
PS3 doesn't have wired controllers from my understanding.
Click to expand...

If the controller ever dies you can still use it with the usb cable. It's really a non-issue IMO. My psp battery has been going strong since the day I got it more than a year ago on launch day, actually I've only taken it out once and it was back then on the days after launch. Not to mention Sony should cover the controller in the warranty as it comes in the box.

For the controller features, I'm pretty sure you dont need the usb cable to activate it. Press the PS button and the ps3 should recognize it and even turn on just like the 360. One of the points of it being that you you can turn the ps3 on from your sofa or bed if you prefer. USB cable is just for charging, and keeping the charge while you play @ the same time if you prefer. I think the whole turning the ps3 off/on w/ the usb cable needed thing comes from turning the power switch in the back off which resets everything, if you have the switch on and your not using the ps3 it should be in standby mode even when you turn it off with the power button on the front. Hope that made sense. I leave my psp on standby all the time, so it shouldnt be a big deal for me atleast.
 
I'm a bit lazy to check it myself now, but does the PS3 have USB ports on the back?
As the controller does need to be charged frequently, the PS3 likely will have a usb csable dangling from it all the time, it would be nice if it didn't hang out from the front making unnecessary clutter in front of the machine.
If it were on the back, it could be hidden discreetly and be always there for any usb need.
Will the controller charge via usb connected to a PC?
Edit: Hm, I wonder if my Creative MP3 player's USB charger that's plugged directly in the wall would work too. That would be nicve so I could set up a central charging station for at least two of my devices (if only the PSP also charged via USB too, I hate it when I have all these chargers plugged in various wall sockets in different rooms, actually I think majority of my wall sockets are now occupied by a charger for some device :D. How long before someone invents some kind of neat "furniture" or something for centrally charging all these gadgets without all that hassle with different plugs and cables that always have hidden themselves behind some chair, sofa, drawer...)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No usb in the back, 4 in the front. And I think you can charge it from a PC, though im not 100% sure on that. I think I charged my psp from a PC, but I think it was a specific type of usb cable. Don't quote me on that.
 
Bad_Boy said:
No usb in the back, 4 in the front. And I think you can charge it from a PC, though im not 100% sure on that. I think I charged my psp from a PC, but I think it was a specific type of usb cable. Don't quote me on that.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but I do quote you ;)
The PSP is not chargeable via USB as far as I know, at least mine is not, or then I'm misinformed.
 
1) Bluetooth devices don't need any physical cable to be paired
.
2) Bluetooth devices don't even require pairing. Pairing just establishes a trust relationship. BT game controllers are not cell phones, so there is little need to secure them. And given range limitations of BT, it is not likely someone's going to hack your PS3 by remote controlling it with BT outside your house, not to mention they can't see the TV either. Whether or not Sony requires pairing is purely up to the firmware.

3) it is not likely that switching the PS3 completely off looses pairing. My computer nor cell phone do not lose pairing info from being completely power drained. The pairing database is in NVRAM. However, the SIXAXIS controllers may not have any NVRAM to store the pairing information, so it is possible that a PS3 controller that completely loses all battery power may need to repair.

4) repairing doesn't require interaction necessarily. My bluetooth mouse pairs with my Mac without any interaction from me whatsoever. (e.g. if I pull batteries out and put in new batteries, it repairs after it comes on) Repairing with some devices like mobile phones, usually requires a PIN. My 2 BT keyboards also ask for PIN, but can be paired without PIN (PIN is optional)
 
Wow thats a really bad article lol. The PS3 can be turned on and off without the pairing, because as stated above its BLUETOOTH:D

secondly the PS3 controller is rechargable by using a USB cable included thsi can be done while playing or not while palying similar to the xbox- so instead of buying a charger you just use a USB cable. Much better.
 
Hardknock said:
A controller should not be a consumable item. I find that hard to believe.
Click to expand...

Controllers are consumable items though. The buttons on controllers are all rated for certain number of presses. Once you go beyond that number, its not reliable anymore. If you do heavy amount of gaming on it, you'll know if you have wore out your controller and time to get a new one.
 
btdvox said:
Wow thats a really bad article lol. The PS3 can be turned on and off without the pairing, because as stated above its BLUETOOTH:D
Click to expand...

However, how would it work if I have a few PS3's next to each other. How do we know which one belongs to which? I think some kind of pairing may take place, but how it works, I don't know. But it's likely to be easy enough.
 
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